Internal combustion engine



March 30, 1937. v. F. ZAHODIAKIN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed June 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 VENTOR ATTORN EY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed June 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Mar. 30, 1937 r STATES OFFICE INTERNAL: COMBUSTION ENGINE Victor F; Zahodiakin, Cincinnati, om'o Application June 12, 1934, Serial No. 730,2sr f 7 claims;

This invention relates to internal combustion engines," and is-part icularly directed to improve ments in the mounting of the valves and valve operatingmechanism thereof.

Theconventional internal combustion engine" is -designed-with clearance between the working parts of the valve mechanismfor the purpose of permitting expansion of the parts such as results because of increased temperature. Obviously this clearance increases as wear takes place,- and must be maintained by repeated. adjustments. The-damageto the motor if the valves are-not set to acc'urate clearances is considerable. For instance, if the clearance-is not properly maintainied the valves are burned and warped, the valve'operation'is noisy, normal timing of the engine isdis'turbed, and the valve seats and valve seating surfaces are badly damaged.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved mountingfor the valves and valve operating mechanisms which is hydraulic'ally supported and which-permits valve oper-' ation without clearance, the support tending to keep all operating partsin contact and in proper working 'relatio'n at all times. Accordingly; the improvement, regarded generally, eliminates the necessity for adjustment and therefore eliminates-the damage attendant theoperation of theconventional valves-When adjustment is neglected. The present valve mounting is automaticall'y effective for taking up wear, in other words is' self servicing and adjusting.

It is another object of this invention to provide an hydraulic device of the above mentioned character for automatically maintaining the working parts of the valve and operating mechanism in contact at all times, all of the parts of which device are stationary in normal engine operation apart from shifting movements to accommo'date for expansion of the oil or valve parts. I

It'is a further object of this invention to provide a constant supply of oil under head pressure by the' use of reservoir means in the oil supplyline from the pumpwhich accumulates, traps and places the'oil underpressure, and is therefore operative for delivering oil under pressure to the support when the motor is not operating. In other words, when the oil pump, as driven by the engine; is not supplying oil, the reservoir means automaticallysupplies oil under pressure. More specifically; and in the preferred embodiment, the accumulator or reservoir means is inthe form of a closed chamber in which the oil is trapped arid inwhich'air is lo'ck'ed above the-oil and com pressed under the oil pumping action for' the purpose of maintaining an air pressure head over the oil'effective for feeding the oil to the support as needed. 1

Itisastill fu'rtherobject of this invention to provide an hydraulically-mounted journal or support-for the valve andoperating parts which is'le'ak proof and yet highly flexible for shifting of the supp'ort' in the maintenance'ofsnug work.- ing relation of the'parts when the working parts expand under abnormal heat;

Other objects and further advantages will be more fully apparent from a description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure "lis a cross sectional view of the upper part of an engine construction, illustrating the hydraulic valve support devices and system or this invention. 1

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2, Figure 1, detailing a rocker arm pivot.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the'frameor standard carrying th'e hydraulic support devices for the rocker' arms. I

Figure 4is aside view of this part;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a modified form 2 ofsupport device wherein a leak-proocf joint is provided for 'the hydraulic support plunger.

The hydraulic valve. and valve mechanism support ofthis invention is readilyapplicable to various types of internal combustion engine valves. In the present instance, the device is shownap-plied to overhead valves. Inasmuch as the invention relates solely to the support of valves and operating mechanisms, only that much of the internal combustion engine is illustrated as is concerned with the mounting and actuating mechanisms'of the valves.

The cylinder block is indicated at Ill and the cylinder head at I l. A conventional piston I2 is shown in a cylinderocf the block. The ,head is ofhollcw construction for water circulation in the usual manner.

i In the cross sectional View of the drawings a single valve l 31 controlling a single passageway- M to the oylinder'is illustrated, it being" apparent that the valve" shown can be eith'er the exhaust or the intake valve. For the purpose of this description, the passagewaymay be referred to as an exhaust passageway.

The valve l3 is mounted'for vertical reciprocation inthe head in the usual manner, the tapered valve head l5 operating relative to a tapered seat H5 in the exhaustifipassageway:1 The valve stem" l1 extends upwardly through the head of the-'engine through -a guideway' l8 fixed in the extreme upper end of the valve stem, and a heavy coil spring 20 is mounted under compression between the disc and the top of the engine head.

The valve support frame 2| is bolted on the top of the engine head. This frame is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. As illustrated, it includes a foot portion 22 contacting the engine head, upwardly extended legs 23, and a longitudinally horizontally disposed body portion 24 containing the hydraulic support devices for the respective valves.

Each hydraulic support device supports a rocker arm 25. The rocker arm is engaged against the under side of a hollow pivot shaft 26, including a semi-circular groove 21 across its top surface fitting the curvature of the shaft. One end of the rocker arm is in contact with the top of the valve stem and the other end of the rocker arm is in contact with the upper ball end 28 of a valve operating push rod 29 which is vertically disposed.

The lower end of the push rod includes a contact element 30 slidably mounted in a porvtion. of the engine block and having auniversal contact with the rounded lower end of the valve operating rod. For this purpose the rod projects into an axial bore in the contact element providing ample clearance around the rod and engages the rounded bottom of the bore. A valve operating cam 3| engages the under surface of the contact element.

The principal element of each hydraulic support device, that is, the fulcrum support for the rocker arm, is in the form of a plunger or piston 32. The lower end of the plunger is square as at 33 and includes a semi-circular cross groove 34 engaging the top of the rocker arm pivot shaft. This pivot shaft has flanges 35, 35, at each end for preventing axial displacement from its position between the rocker arm and the plunger. Each plunger is vertically slidablymounted in a bore 36 of the frame. A plug 31 is screwed into the upper end of the bore and includes a nut portion engaged against the top of the standard.

A light coil spring 38 is disposed under compression between the plug 3'! and the bottom of an internal bore 39 in the plunger for the purpose of maintaining a mechanical downward contact maintaining force apart from the hydraulics about to be described.

An upwardly extend-ed stud 2| beneath the rocker arm disposed immediately adjacent the cross rib thereof prevents disassembly of the hydraulic support parts in the event of breakage of the operating rod or valve.

As shown in the detail views of the support frame, an oil inlet passageway 40 is provided entering the side of the body portion thereof by way of a boss 4 l this passageway intersecting a longitudinal passageway 42 interconnecting all of the plunger containing bores 36 of :the frame. This longitudinal passageway is formed by drilling longitudinally through the body portion through all of the vertical bores. The end of the bore necessitated by drilling in from one end is closed by means of a plug 43.

Each plug 31 closing the top of each bore includes an annular groove 44 in its screw-threaded periphery. This annular groove lies in the same plane as the passageway 42 interconnecting the bores. p

Passageway for the oil entering the annular groove is completed to the space over and within the plunger by way of a diametrically disposed head. A spring retainer disc [9 is fixed to the passageway 45 intersecting an axial passageway 46 in the plug. The upper end of the axial passageway is closed by a plug 48. An oil supply conduit 47 is connected to the inlet boss 4!. This conduit is extended from the oil pump of the engine (not shown).

A check valve 49 is also incorporated in the oil supply line. This check valve is screwed into the boss 4! and incorporates the usual spring seated ball. This check valve opens to oil supply pressure and closes to oil pressure developed within the device above the plunger. A check valve 49 may be used for each hydraulic device if desired. The check valves are mounted in the plugs 31 in this event. Theuse of a single check valve for each device is preferable for the reason that the system is more sensitive for oil replacement.

. An auxiliary oil supply device or pressure head maintaining means 50 is incorporated in the supply line. This device consists of a cylinder having a head 5 at each end. The cylinder is inserted in the conduit 41, and the adjacent ends of the conduit are fixed to the respective cylinder heads thereof in offset positions vertically considered. Each cylinder head includes a pipe extension 52 fixed therein, which is extended into the cylinder longitudinally thereof and forms a continuation of the supply pipe lines. Each supply pipe end is connected to a cylinder head by means of a nut 53 screwed onto a screw-threaded boss 54 thereof, securing the flanged end 55 of the supply pipe onto a packing gasket on the boss. An air release plug 56 is provided in the top cylinder head of the device.

A check valve 5'! is provided at the connection of the supply pipe to that side of the auxiliary supply device adjacent the pump, so that back flow from the auxiliary supply device cannot occur.

In the modified form (Figure 5) a dilating seal connection is provided between the plug 31 and the plunger 32 for the purpose of preventing loss of oil down the support frame bore, that is, be-.

tween the wall of the plunger and the bore. It will be noted that this connection consists of an accordion-pleated cylinder or bellows 58 slidably engaging the bore of the frame. This connection cannot be deformed outwardly because of the fact that it lies against the wall of the bore. The sealing connection is light enough to permit free plunger movement, and at the same time prevents disassembly of the support in case of breakage of the rocker arm, valve, or valve operating parts, apart from the retaining stud heretofore described. This sealing connection is dilatable for the purpose of permitting expansion or contraction of the oil or parts.

Accordingly, through this mechanism the oil is supplied under pressure from the oil pump of the engine, filling the parts of the system with oil. Therefore, each plunger is held downwardly against the pivot shaft under oil pressure. This downward pressure is transmitted to the rocker arm and through the ends of the rocker arm to the. operating rod and the valve stem. The hydraulic pressure is less than the pressure of the heavy coil spring holding the valve in seated position, so that it does not disturb normal valve operations.

However, it will readily be apparent that all of the working parts are maintained in snug working contact. For example, these contacts are maintained between the rocker arm and its three points of contact, and between the lower end of the valve operating rod'and the cam. With the iii cylinder of the hydraulic support device entirely filled with oil the support is rigid. There is no chance for yielding as the valves are operated and the pressure of the operating cam is imparted to the rocker arms. In the event that there is expansion of parts or oil due to excessive heat, it is, of course, impossible for the oil to escape through the check valve, and, accordingly, the oil will gradually escape through the plunger clearances. The displacement due to expansion of parts or the increase volume of oil due to heat is negligible.

The rocker shaft shifts its position to accommodate the elongation of the parts due to heat or, more specifically described, accommodates for the shifting of the rocker arm. In the event of the aforesaid loss of oil or displacement due to heat, the oil is readily replaced through the supply line to keep the parts in snug contact and working relation as the parts contract.

The auxiliary supply and pressure head maintaining device 50 functions as follows: Normally, the oil passes through this device maintaining the line pressure and compressing a certain amount of air in the upper end of the cylinder 5|. Since the outlet pipe is disposed at the bottom of the cylinder well below the oil level, only oil which is free of air is fed to the support devices. Assuming that the motor has stopped and there is leakage or displacement in any of the support devices, it will be apparent that the air pressure head maintained over the oil will be effective for automatically supplying oil to the devices. This is also extremely valuable in that, should there be a leak in the supply line to the auxiliary supply device while the engine is operating, the supports will continue to function efficiently because of the maintained supply under automatic feed which will continue for a considerable time. The check valve at the entrance to the supply device, of course, prevents return of oil for the purpose of maintaining the pressure head previously set forth.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In an internal combustion engine, an engine body including a cylinder block and head, a spring seated valve for said cylinder including a stem, an operating means for said valve in constant contact with the end of the stem of said valve, a

hydraulic device for maintaining said operating means in contact with the valve stem, an oil supply pipe connected to said device for delivering oil under pressure to said device, an auxiliary supply tank in said pipe, the inlet to said tank being above the outlet thereto, and a check valve at the inlet to said supply tank, whereby air is trapped at the upper end of the tank and compressed by the oil.

2. A support for the valve operating mecha- 60 nism of an internal combustion engine, including,

a spring seated valve; comprising an operating element engaging the valve for unseating the same, an hydraulic support for said element including a cylinder and plunger therein, a supply 65 pipe delivering oil under pressure to said cylinder above the plunger, a cylinder in said oil sup-ply pipe adapted to separate the air from the liquid and trap and compress the air above the liquid, whereby in the absence of line pressure to the supply cylinder, said supply cylinder replenishes the oil in the hydraulic support.

3. In an internal combustion engine, an engine body including a cylinder block and head, said block including a plurality of cylinders, spring pressed inlet and outlet control valves for each cylinder, a rocker arm for each valve, a push rod for each valve, each rocker arm having its ends engaging a push rod and a valve respectively, a pivot shaft for each rocker arm, an oil filled cylinder for each rocker arm, an hydraulically urged plunger in each cylinder supporting the particular pivot shaft, a common oil supply conduit for all of said plungers, a check valve in said oil supply conduit preventing displacement of oil from any of said cylinders back through said conduit, and means in each hydraulic cylinder permitting displacement of oil from said cylinders.

4. In an internal combustion engine, an engine body including a cylinder block and head, a spring seated valve for the cylinder of said block, a valve operating push rod, a rocker arm having its ends engaging the valve and push rod respectively, a rock shaft engaged downwardly against said rocker arm, an hydraulic cylinder and plunger, said plunger engaging the rock shaft, means for supplying oil under pressure above said plunger for urging the same against the rock shaft, and an accordion-pleated cylinder connecting the top of the plunger with the top of the plunger cylinder, a check valve in the supply pipe to the cylinder, and means in the plunger cylinder for permitting displacement of oil.

5. In an internal combustion engine including an engine body having a cylinder block and head, a spring seated valve for the cylinder of said body, an operating plunger, a rocker arm having its respective ends engaged against the plunger and the end of the valve stem, a rock shaft engaging the rocker arm intermediate its ends on the side opposite to the side thereof engaging the plunger and valve, an hydraulically urged plunger mechanism engaging said rock shaft for maintaining the rock shaft, plunger and valve in contact with the rocker arm at all times, and a stop disposed adjacent the intermediate portion of the rocker arm at the side opposite to the side engaged by the rock shaft.

6. A support for the valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine, including a spring seated valve; comprising, an operating element engaging the valve for unseating the same, an hydraulic support for said element including a cylinder and plunger therein, a supply line delivering oil under pressure to said cylinder above the plunger, and a device in the supply line incorporating an air chamber wherein the air is trapped and compressed for placing delivery pressure on the oil between the device and the cylinder, whereby in the absence of line pressure to the device said device replenishes the oil in the hydraulic support.

7, In an internal combustion engine, an engine body including a cylinder block and head, a spring seated valve for the cylinder of said block, a valve operating push rod, a rocker arm having its ends engaging the valve and push rod respectively, a rock shaft engaged downwardly against said rocker arm, an hydraulic cylinder and plunger, said plunger engaging the rock shaft, meansfor supplying oil under pressure above said plunger for urging the same against the rock shaft, and an accordion-pleated cylinder connecting the top of the plunger with the top of the plunger cylinder, and a check valve in the supply means to the cylinder.

VICTOR F. ZAI-IODIAKIN. 

